Winterizing question

[Trixieflower]

Here are some pictures of our roost and windows. Our plan is to use lexiglass to cover the windows.
Coop design is taken from one in the BYC small coop designs. I'll credit it in a sec.

Roost and nesting boxes.

Front window

Side window - there are two of these driectly across from one another.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'd probably start closing windows when it gets in the 40s. I'd start with the one right behind the roost, then the one on the end of the roost. Those would be the most important ones to close. This will cut down on drafts blowing on the chickens when they're on the roost at night.

 

[Marcymom3]

What a pretty chicken coop!!

I had similar questions today as it is getting chilly at night here in Maryland also.

 

[binders]

Love your coop!

I would do what WoodlandWoman said. Looks like you will have good ventilation even with the windows covered what with the openings you have at the peak of the ends walls.

Where did you get the design for this coop. I really like it!

 

[Trixieflower]

Thanks for the compliments! The coop design came from this BYC page https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=20741
Perfect design for our yard and enough pictures and drawings to complete the project.

 

[daisy mae's dad]

this coop is awesome! almost professional!

 

[HappyChickenLover]

Quote:
This is all correct. Don't over think winter time. Chickens survive in nature in the winter...

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I don't know that "need" applies, but I am confident they prefer a wider, flatter spot, both for warmth and because their toes / feet don't really wrap tightly around a roost as most birds' do. And it seems logical to me that toes will be warmer on subzero nights with a flat place to roost.

Since chickens put out quite a volume of moisture (and ammonia) I would personally take the mold as proof positive that they need more ventilation. It can be tricky to vent that stuff out and keep them out of any winter draft in a smaller coop. In my mind the critical thing is to have a vent at or very near the highest point of the coop so the stuff has to go out. I have real misgivings about using windows as the only ventilation for this reason. I really like the roofs that slant to one side only, with a vent along the eaves of the high side. It may be that a fan, or just one of those wind-activated turbine things (whatever they;re called) would be good in your situation.

In case you've somehow missed it, this is often considered the classic ventilation writeup on BYC:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

 

[scottkumbier]

Quote:
They need to be able to cover their feet completely. So a larger roost would be better if it gets really cold.